UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: International stars attend fundraiser for amfAR Aids Research in Dubai as part of 'Cinema Against Aids' strategy

Record ID: 644617

  • Title: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: International stars attend fundraiser for amfAR Aids Research in Dubai as part of 'Cinema Against Aids' strategy
  • Date: 13th December 2007
  • Summary: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (DECEMBER 10, 2007) (REUTERS) RED CARPET FOR AMFAR FUNDRAISER EVENT TAKING PLACE DURING THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SIGN READING 'AMFAR' AIDS RESEARCH (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) VARIOUS ACTRESS SHARON STONE ON RED CARPET SIGN READING '4TH DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL' (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS SHARON STONE, SAYING: 'I think we are happy as artists to know that we are coming together as artists and working together in the movie community to work in AIDS awareness.' (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) ACTRESS MICHELLE YEOH ARRIVING ON THE RED CARPET VARIOUS MICHELLE YEOH POSING FOR CAMERAS VARIOUS STONE, MICHELLE YEOH, AMFAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE KEVIN FROST AND AMFAR CHAIRMAN KENNETH COLE POSING FOR CAMERA ACTOR HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN ARRIVING VARIOUS OF DITA VON TEESE (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMFAR CHIEF, EXECUTIVE KEVIN FROST. SAYING: 'Well, I think if we are lucky maybe we will raise a million Dollars tonight. We are hoping. If we are really lucky, maybe we will make a little bit more than that.' VARIOUS OF INDIAN ACTOR KABIR BEDI (SOUNDBITE) (English) VARIOUS INDIAN ACTOR KABIR BEDI, SAYING: 'Well, it's initiatives like this that will make the end of the epidemic possible because ultimately it is not the existing medicines that are the cure. They will find ways, science will find a way and research is part.'' VARIOUS OF CUBAN-AMERICAN SINGER GLORIA ESTEFAN ON RED CARPET VARIOUS EGYPTIAN ACTOR MAHMOUD YASSIN WITH HIS WIFE SHAHINA YASSIN VARIOUS BOLLYWOOD STARS ON RED CARPET OTHER GUESTS ARRIVING
  • Embargoed: 28th December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Arab Emirates
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • Topics: Entertainment,Social Services / Welfare
  • Reuters ID: LVA67FXLID8V5XTUNOBI267A8KC2
  • Story Text: Sharon Stone, in Dubai attending this year's International Film Festival, hosted a fund-raising event for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, to raise money and awareness in a region where AIDS is still considered a taboo.
    Stars from Hollywood, Bollywood and the Arab world descended on the red carpet at the Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort in Dubai for the fund-raising dinner and auction.
    'I think we are happy as artists to know that we are coming together as artists and working together in the movie community to work in AIDS awareness' said Sharon Stone upon arrival.
    Other stars, including Michelle Yeoh, Hayden Christensen and Gloria Estefan graced the red carpet ahead of the event which is part of the program of the 'Cinema Against AIDS Dubai', held in association with the Dubai International Film Festival.
    AmfAR, one of the world's leading organisations which raises money for AIDS research and HIV prevention treatment education, regularly hosts charity auctions during film festivals such as the annual one in Cannes. According to organisers, the charity has invested over 260 million US dollars in its program since 1985. AmfAR's chief executive said that he hoped to raise at least one million (USD) at the event.

    "We are hoping. If we are really lucky, maybe we will make a little bit more than that," said Kevin Frost.
    The Film Festival began on Sunday (December 9) and will continue for a week with 141 films from 52 countries being screened.
    In 2006, the Dubai festival launched the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema. This year, the competition will include seven world premieres in its existing three categories -- features, documentaries and shorts, which carry top cash prizes of 50,000, 40,000 and 30,000 (USD) respectively.
    It will also introduce 10,000 (USD) prizes for Best Actor and Best Actress and 7,000 (USD) prizes for Best Scriptwriter, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor and Best Composer.
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